Moscow: As scores of people lost their lives in what is being seen as one of the deadliest attacks in the recent history of Russia, reports emerged that the US Embassy in Moscow, in a statement issued earlier this month, had urged the Americans to avoid crowded places in the Russian capital in view of an imminent attack, a warning which is believed to have been repeated by several other Western embassies, the Associated Press reported.

The attack on Friday at Crocus City Hall – a large music venue on Moscow’s western edge – reportedly killed over 40 people while also leaving more than 100 people injured, according to Federal Security Service, Russia’s main domestic security and counter-terrorism agency. 

As the Russian authorities are investigating the attack on Moscow hall as terrorism, an advisory issued by the US Embassy in Russia on March 22, 2024 stated, “The Embassy is aware of reports of an ongoing terrorist incident at Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow” and that the “US citizens should avoid the area and follow instructions of local authorities”.

“The US government’s ability to provide routine or emergency services to American citizens in Russia is severely limited, particularly in areas far from the US embassy in Moscow, due to Russian government limitations on travel for US embassy personnel and staffing, and the ongoing suspension of operations, including consular services, at US consulates in Russia”, the advisory stated.

Several gunmen burst into the concert hall and sprayed visitors with automatic gunfire. There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the raid, which Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described as a “huge tragedy". 

Meanwhile, Russian news reports stated that the assailants threw explosives, triggering the massive blaze at the hall, which can accommodate up to 6,000 people. Videos from outside showed the building on fire, with a huge cloud of smoke rising through the night sky.

“At this time, US citizens are advised not to travel to Russia”, the advisory stated, further listing down the actions that could be taken, including monitoring local media for updates and reviewing the US State Department’s Russia Departure site for further information.

The attack took place as crowds gathered for performance by ‘Picnic’, a famous Russian rock band. 

White House spokesperson John Kirby, while responding to a question on the embassy's notice issued on March 7, said during a press briefing, "I don’t think that was related to this specific attack.”

“I’m not aware of any advance knowledge that we had of this terrible attack", news agency AP quoted Kirby as saying in response to a question about whether Washington had any prior information about the assault.

The deadliest attack in Russia in years came just days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in an electoral landslide and at a time when the country's war in Ukraine dragged into a third year.